CVE-2023-4560 in omeka-s
Summary
by MITRE • 08/28/2023
Improper Authorization of Index Containing Sensitive Information in GitHub repository omeka/omeka-s prior to 4.0.4.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4560 represents a critical authorization flaw within the omeka-s repository management system that affects versions prior to 4.0.4. This issue stems from improper authorization controls that allow unauthorized users to access indexes containing sensitive information, fundamentally compromising the security boundaries of the platform. The vulnerability exists in the repository's access control mechanisms where index files that should be restricted to authorized personnel are being made accessible to all users, including those without proper credentials or permissions. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control enforcement that are essential for protecting sensitive data within web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the repository's failure to properly validate user permissions when serving index files that contain metadata or references to sensitive content. When users access repository indexes, the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary authorization levels to view the contained information. This authorization bypass occurs at the application level where index files are served without proper authentication checks, allowing attackers to enumerate and access sensitive data that should remain protected. The flaw is particularly concerning as it operates at the core of repository access control, potentially exposing not just individual files but entire directory structures and metadata that could reveal organizational information, file paths, or system configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the omeka-s environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to repository indexes that might contain sensitive metadata such as file versions, access logs, user information, or system configurations. This information disclosure could facilitate further attacks including privilege escalation, lateral movement within the system, or targeted attacks against specific files or users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of how access control failures can create cascading security risks that compromise the entire platform's integrity.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a significant concern for organizations relying on omeka-s for digital repository management, particularly those handling sensitive or confidential information. The flaw's potential for information disclosure and its impact on repository integrity make it a high-priority issue requiring immediate remediation. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control reviews and ensure that all index files and metadata are properly protected through robust authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper authorization checks at every level of application logic, as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework's access control categories. Mitigation efforts should include immediate upgrade to version 4.0.4 or later, implementation of additional access logging, and regular security assessments to identify similar authorization flaws within the system's architecture.